A damaged rotor blade from an incident 11 weeks earlier is being investigated as a possible cause of the helicopter crash that killed British newlyweds Alexander Cromie and Marie Ebert on their honeymoon in Greece.

The Bell 206 helicopter came down near a heliport on the island of Sifnos on Monday last week as the pilot came in to land, killing 31-year-old Mr Cromie, 30-year-old Ms Ebert, and the Greek pilot.

Witnesses at the scene reported seeing the aircraft spinning out of control before it hit the ground, pointing to a suspected tail rotor failure. Video footage showed the helicopter immediately engulfed in a fireball, sending thick smoke into the sky from the blackened wreckage.

Aviation investigators are now looking into whether the fatal flight was linked to an incident involving the same aircraft on the island of Paros on 1 June. Restraining straps had been fitted after landing to stop the tail blades moving in strong winds, but a report filed with Greece's Civil Aviation Authority states the pilot failed to ensure they were removed before starting the engine to fly passengers off the island.

Experts are examining whether those straps put strain on the tail assembly or caused unseen mechanical damage at the time.

Flight tracker records show the helicopter remained in Paros for three weeks after the 1 June incident. It was later issued an air-worthiness certificate on 2 July before returning to service.

Mr Cromie, a vice-president in private wealth solutions for asset management company Blackstone, and Ms Ebert, a senior specialist at management consultancy Bain & Company, are understood to have booked the 80-mile flight to Sifnos for £1,300 as a honeymoon treat.

Tributes have been paid to both victims by their colleagues in London. A spokesman for Blackstone said Mr Cromie was "beloved by everyone who worked with him", while Bain & Company described Ms Ebert as a "much-loved and deeply respected" member of its team.

What we do not know yet is how much evidence can be recovered from the scene. Officials note the inquiry will be severely hampered by the intense fire that destroyed the majority of the helicopter.

As a precaution, Greece's Civil Aviation Authority has now mandated that "visual and functional checks" be carried out on the tail rotors of all Bell 206 helicopters in the country before every flight.

Relatives of Mr Cromie and Ms Ebert are reported to have travelled to Athens to formally identify their bodies as the formal investigation continues. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.